Danila Yurov and Metallurg Magnitogorsk are in the KHL finals. Playing for the Gagarin Cup isn’t like playing for the Stanley Cup because the NHL is a much higher level of hockey. Who was the last Russian prospect to play for the Gagarin Cup and win?
Kirill Kaprizov for CSKA Moskva in 2018-19.
Kaprizov lived up to the hype. However, Yurov is showing signs that he will be as good or a better goal scorer than Kaprizov. Yurov is showing to be the NHL’s 2022 draft steal.
Yurov would be a perfect fit next to Marco Rossi. Bill Guerin shouldn’t move Rossi in the offseason, but he reportedly is thinking of moving on from the rookie center. However, Rossi can play behind Joel Eriksson Ek, who has evolved into the team’s top center.
Why can’t Rossi use the opportunity to learn from Eriksson Ek? He represents Guerin’s “Grit First” identity but implements it with skill. Rossi’s a year behind in his development because of a life-threatening heart issue. But he played a full season, indicating he’s fully recovered. Now he’s gotten a full year under his belt. What if his sophomore season starts with a future Russian superstar in Yurov?
Kaprizov played 57 regular season games, scoring 11 game-winning goals in 17:15 time on ice (TOI), which led the KHL in 2018-19. Yurov played 62 regular season games, scoring seven game-winning goals in 15:12 TOI, tied for second this year. Imagine if Yurov played up to 17 minutes a night. Kaprizov became the most clutch player in the KHL, and Yurov has proven to be Metallurg’s best player.
Yurov’s clutch goal-scoring has translated to the playoffs this year. He’s been less productive in the playoffs but has out-scored Kaprizov in less ice time played in their Gargain Cup seasons. In 19 playoff games for CSKA, Kaprizov scored 14 points (4 goals and 10 assists) in 17:43 time on ice (TOI). In 19 playoff games for Metallurg, Yurov scored 9 points (6 goals and 3 assists) in 14:42 TOI. Kaprizov’s assists were tied for fifth in the playoffs; Yurov’s goals are tied for third in the KHL playoffs. Yurov’s nine points are tied for sixth in the playoffs, and Kaprizov’s 14 points are tied for sixth.
Yurov, 20, is two years younger than Kaprizov, 22. Still, he’s scoring more goals than Kaprizov did in the KHL and is nearly productive with a lower TOI. Kaprizov is a former 5th-round pick, while the Wild took Yurov in the 1st…
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